Rams off to hot start with new coach

Andrew Mitchell/Standard-Times Angelo State senior guard Bryan Hammond drives to the basket during the Rams’ win over McMurry, which gave them an 8-0 record, the best start in program history. ASU’s unbeaten record will be put to the test Friday when the Rams take on No. 16-ranked Arkansas-Fort Smith at Collin College in Plano.

SAN ANGELO, Texas - When Chris Beard was hired as head coach of the Angelo State men’s basketball program in March, he was tasked with rebuilding a program that struggled to a 7-19 record last year.

Probably even the most optimistic of Rams fans couldn’t have envisioned the project getting off the ground so quickly.

The rejuvenated Rams are a surprising 8-0 and off to the best start in program history. One more win will tie the mark for their longest-ever winning streak.

ASU’s turnaround hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Rams are tied with Alaska-Anchorage as the top vote-getter among teams not in the top 25 of the NABC Division II rankings.

Beard is taking the early success in stride and is still calling his team what he did during the preseason, “a work in progress.”

“We’ve been fortunate enough to win some games against some pretty good competition, but it’s real early,” Beard said. “I think every team in the country is in the same boat us as. Regardless of your record, you’re trying to get better every day.

“Being a good team in November and December doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be good in January and February, and that’s where college basketball is very important, when you get into conference play. So we’re pleased we’ve won some games, but we’re also very aware we’ve got to get a lot better.”

ASU’s undefeated record will be put to the test at noon Friday when the Rams take on No. 16-ranked Arkansas-Fort Smith at Collin College in Plano.

The game was originally scheduled for Dec. 7 but was postponed due to weather.

It’s a battle of unbeaten teams as Fort Smith is 6-0. The Lions are lighting up scoreboards at an average of 91 points per game.

“I think we’ve played some teams this season that could win some games in the Lone Star Conference,” Beard said. “I think Fort Smith is a team that could win the Lone Star any given year. It’s a game we scheduled on purpose. It’s a good measuring stick for us.”

ASU also has remaining games against Oklahoma Wesleyan at home Tuesday, followed by games at Arkansas Tech, at Arkansas-Monticello and at UTEP before opening LSC play Jan. 8 at Tarleton State.

“(Assistant coach Cinco Boone) and I thought we’d test this team nice and early to try and identify what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are before we enter conference play,” Beard said. “And the best way to do that is play good competition on the road.”

In addition to a new coaching staff, the Rams’ six returners also welcomed in nine newcomers to their team.

All of the pieces have fit together quite nicely.

“We’re just like a melting pot,” ASU senior guard Bryan Hammond said. “Everybody contributes something different. We’re still learning how to play with each other, but it’s been real fun so far.”

Hammond is the only returner who has started every game this season, though Chris Talkington has also had three starts.

Newcomers have grabbed much of the court time, though ASU’s bench is deep enough that 11 players have seen at least 74 minutes.

Kenny Wiliams, a 6-foot-7 forward who played under Beard last year at McMurry University in Abilene, immediately established himself as one of the Rams’ leaders. He was named the LSC Offensive Player of the Week after the season’s opening weekend.

Williams is averaging 17.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. The St. Louis native is shooting 57.1 percent from the floor (56 of 98) and 88 percent from the free-throw line (22 of 25).

Daniel Skinner (11.8 points per game) and Hammond (10.4 points per game) have also been consistent offensive threats.

Omari Gudul, a 6-10 forward from the Republic of the Congo, has provided a big inside presence. He has seven starts, while junior guard Tommy Woolridge has five starts and hit the game-winning jumper with three seconds remaining in ASU’s 67-65 win over Southwestern Oklahoma in the second game of the year.

Beard said the most important number has been six — the number of seniors on the roster. He said Williams, Hammond, Marsh, Talkington, Jones and Asortse have all provided invaluable leadership.

“(Having six seniors) is unique in college basketball,” Beard said. “They’ve done a great job not only on the floor with their stats in terms of the way they play, but equally important is the job they’ve done in practice every day and in the locker room in keeping the team focused.

“Some of those seniors obviously have great stat lines and are guys that have played a lot of games. A couple of guys might not have played as much, but they’re just as valuable in terms of leadership and in practice.”

The only two teams in ASU history who have put together longer winning streaks were the nine-game runs by the 1987-88 team and 2000-01 team.

Skinner said the Rams will just try to continue playing good basketball.

“The expectations are raised a lot because we’re winning and stuff and getting a couple votes in the national poll,” Skinner said. “We’ve got to continue practicing hard and playing hard and keep winning.”